The roadmap for #decarbonization of #shippingindustry has become a pressing issue in recent years as the #shipping industry looks for ways to reduce its carbon footprint and meet international emissions reduction targets. Although the shipping industry is not a significant contributor to global #emissions, and finding ways to decarbonize this sector is still crucial for meeting #climate goals.
One of the key events in the roadmap for shipping decarbonization was the COP27 conference, held in Sharm el-Sheikh, #egypt , from 7-20th November 2022.
One of the main outcomes of COP27 was the adoption of the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) initial strategy on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships. #COP27 was the last COP before the #IMO meets in 2023 at #MEPC 80, when a review of its 2018 GHG strategy is due to take place, with anticipated revised targets to be announced in July 2023.
The IMO’s current emissions reduction targets are to reduce #CO2 emissions by 40% by 2030 and 70% by 2050, and a separate 50% reduction of #GHG by 2050, all percentages with reference to 2008 levels. These targets were not seen as sufficiently ambitious at COP26 and the IMO was invited to align shipping’s targets with the #UN’s goal of 100% decarbonisation by 2050. The IMO nevertheless voted against the adoption of such a change at?MEPC 77?in December 2021. It also includes a vision of reducing GHG emissions from international shipping to zero by the end of the century.
To achieve these ambitious goals, the IMO has outlined several key measures that will need to be taken.
The IMO Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC) responsible for matters concerning the prevention and control of pollution from ships, held its 79th session (MEPC 79) in London from 12-16 December 2022. It was the first MEPC meeting in person since May 2019.?
Revision of IMO's Initial Strategy for GHG reduction
- Many additional levels of ambition were proposed, such as the establishing of green corridors and making deep cuts to black carbon in and near the Arctic.
- MEPC 79 also saw an increase in support for measures which combine economic (a GHG levy scheme) and technical (a well-to-wake GHG intensity fuel standard) elements.?
- MEPC 79 reviewed the interim report of the Correspondence Group on Marine Fuel Life Cycle GHG Analysis and progress made on the development of emission factors for alternative marine fuels, for well to wake calculation of total GHG emissions during a fuel's life cycle from production to eventual use.
- MEPC 79 saw an interest in including on-board Carbon Capture Technology to reduce GHG emissions, with the captured CO2?handled and stored responsibly.?
- The revision of the Initial Strategy will continue to be discussed in the Intersessional Working Group on GHG Reduction (ISWG-GHG 14 in March 2023), and a Revised Strategy is expected to be adopted at MEPC 80 (July 2023).
#Marine pollution and #energy efficiency
- MEPC 79 adopted amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, acknowledging the whole of the Mediterranean Sea as a designated SOx-ECA (SECA), alongside the Baltic Sea, the North Sea, North America (covering designated coastal areas off the United States and Canada) and the United States Caribbean Sea (around Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands). The amendments will enter into force on 1 May 2024 with the mandatory requirement to use fuel oil with a #sulphur content of 0.10%, or an exhaust gas cleaning system (EGCS) in the Mediterranean Sea from 1 May 2025.
- MEPC adopted amendments to MARPOL Annexes I (oil), II (noxious liquid substances), IV (sewage), V (garbage) and VI (air pollution) to allow States with ports in the Arctic region to enter into regional arrangements as an acceptable way to satisfy MARPOL obligations to provide port reception facilities. Amendments to the 2012 Guidelines for the development of a regional reception facility plan were therefore also agreed. The amendments will enter into force on 1 May 2024.
- The MEPC adopted amendments to appendix V of MARPOL Annex VI to "Flashpoint of fuel oil (degrees), or a statement that the flashpoint has been measured at or above 70 degrees as mandatory information in the bunker delivery note (BDN). The amendments will enter into force on 1 May 2024.
- MEPC 79 adopted amendments in the revised Data Collection System to provide a more complete reporting of information to the IMO.
- MEPC 79 adopted Resolution MEPC.364(79) containing the 2022 Guidelines on the Method of Calculation of the Attained EEDI for new ships. The updated guidelines include introducing ethane into the list of fuels and a CO2 conversation factor for ethane.?
- MEPC 79 revised an interpretation related to fuel oil blends containing biofuel to extend this interpretation to cover synthetic fuel. The bunker delivery note must indicate the identity and amount of synthetic fuel present in a delivered product.
- MEPC 79 received several submissions relating to Exhaust Gas Cleaning System (EGCS). Member States however remain divided on whether EGCS should be provided as its discharge water is deemed a source of pollution, or whether its continued use should be accepted. Proposals are to be forwarded to the PPR 11 sub-committee meeting (Spring 2024) for consideration.
#Ballast Water Management (BWM)
- MEPC 79 considered proposals to revise the format of the Ballast Water Record Book (BWRB) with the introduction of code letters (A-H), similar to the system used in the oil record book. The aim is to improve the recording of issues around BWM systems. Adoption of the proposals was deferred to MEPC 80.
- MEPC 79 agreed the temporary storage of treated sewage and grey water in ballast tanks with guidance on procedures to be developed at MEPC 80 to ensure compliance with the BWM Convention, and in particular the D-2 standard, when the ballast tanks are returned to ballast water storage
- MEPC 79 considered proposals on how the BWM Convention can be applied to ships operating at ports with challenging water quality i.e. water not conducive to successful ballast water treatment. Ships are expected to return to D-2 compliance after experiencing challenging uptake water and a list of fundamental principles to consider when developing further guidance was established.
Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas (PSSA)
- MEPC 79 agreed in principle to designate a particular sensitive sea area in the North-Western Mediterranean Sea to protect cetaceans (whales, dolphins, porpoises) from the risk of ship collisions, ship-generated pollution and to increase awareness on a critically important area for the fin whale and the sperm whale. The proposed PSSA encompasses the whole Pelagos Sanctuary and the Spanish cetacean corridor, which are already designated as Special Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance (SPAMIs) under the Barcelona Convention and the UN Mediterranean Action Plan dedicated to the conservation of cetaceans.
- MEPC 79 adopted amendments to MARPOL Annex V to make the Garbage Record Book mandatory also for ships between 100 and 400 gross tons. Smaller ships will now also be required to keep mandatory records of their garbage handling operations.
- Feedback received on the terms of reference for the comprehensive study on marine plastic litter from all ships initiated by the IMO concluded that a single study may not provide the required global assessment of inputs of plastic waste into the marine environment from ships. An invitation was issued for proposals to be put to MEPC 80 on how to progress the IMO Study on Marine Plastic Litter from Ships.
There is therefore a great deal of expectation on MEPC 80 in mid 2023, and we should await the outcome of those meetings with interest.
Overall, the COP27 conference and the adoption of the IMO's initial strategy on GHG reduction represent important steps forward in the roadmap for ship decarbonization. While there is still much work to be done, the shipping industry is committed to finding solutions that will enable it to play a key role in the global effort to reduce emissions and combat climate change.
Source - https://www.ukpandi.com/news-and-resources/articles/2022/mepc-79-a-summary/?dm_i=33T,85D3E,7U0VNA,XDUYF,1
Next #COP28 has been scheduled to take place in the United Arab Emirates in November 2023.
